Not all artists have a dedicated art studio.
However, not having one is not a reason not to make art!
It’s fantastic of course to have a place you can go and make a mess with paints and printing and trying this and experimenting with that, then walk away and leave it there.
No tidying. No disturbing of carefully-arranged-but-not-yet-stuck-down-parts so that people can eat at the table.
But if you have the much more common scenario involving the dining table, or a patch of floor somewhere, or the coffee table, you can still play and experiment.
Which is why I came up with the Coffee Table Art Kit.
It’s pretty much what it suggests; a pared down version of what I have in the studio that lives on, or under, the coffee table and is ever ready for creative emergencies and doodling in front of back to back episodes of New Girl.
These are the basic components.
Of course you can add and remove things according to your preferences, but if you’re just starting out, either with art generally, or with having a ‘go to’ kit to hand, these are the things I’d recommend to begin with.
The index cards are great for doodling or trying out ideas without fear of ruining anything. {Mine are lined; plain would be better.}
They really are just a few basics, and several of them are likely to be already in your home, even if you haven’t started buying art materials yet.
A kit could comprise of a biro, a pencil, a sharpener, an eraser and some printer paper, with a book to lean on.
Other items you could include:
- collage papers {which don’t have to be fancy; you can cut and tear up magazines and junk mail and use the insides of business envelopes}
- scissors
- a glue stick
- pastels {I recommend oil pastels because the dust of soft pastels goes everywhere and this is supposed to be about fun, not about cleaning}
- stamps and stamping inks
- felt tip pens
You can have it all spread out while you’re using it, and then easily and quickly put it all in a box or a basket to store under, on, or near the coffee table.
Boom.
This could also be a fun project to do with kids, especially if they are always wanting to use your precious art supplies.
You could take them to buy some inexpensive basics, maybe throw in some fun stuff like stickers and scented pens or stamps, and you could each have a shoebox {which could be decorated ~ so many possibilities!} with your name on, ready to be pulled out whenever someone has a creative urge.
Kids love having their own things, especially when they have siblings, and it could be a nice way to spend time together, choosing what will go in the boxes, decorating them, and using them together on rainy Saturday afternoons.
I love this idea because it’s so simple but can expand in any direction {although not across the whole room, obviously}.
What would you include? Do you already have your own version of the Coffee Table Art Kit? If you have any exciting new art supplies please share in the comments!
Hey Tara,
this is indeed a wonderful idea for Kids. The sister of my godchild will get 5 next week and I think that your post might have gotten me some wonderful idea 🙂
I have a similar kit like the one in this wonderful Picture (love the photo-writing combinantion btw!!) and put it in a fancy washbag (perfect bag size for all this)…it’s funny that when I am in a café waiting for a friend and get out the washbag, there are always people giving me strange glances until I take out the pens ^^ …
Have a lovely sunday!
I love the washbag idea Nicole ~ great storage choice!
great post, Tara, I’ve shared it on my FB page 🙂
Thank you Malini!
Pinned it! Great idea thanks
Thanks for sharing it Michelle!
Hi Tara, love your coffee table idea, and sharing my version of it… It’s a small kitchen trolley from IKEA (Molger), birch wood, light, and got two shelves. (The wheels can be locked too.) I can fit my favourite things on it and wheel it about to keep me company on my lounge, or my sunny front room, or if I want to stay in bed and catch a dream, it’s all ready for me. Love the sharing on your website, it’s so affirming. Cheers, Mairim.
Hi Mairim, that trolley idea is so sensible! I know there’s a gorgeous aqua Ikea trolley that many artists love. Really so much more practical than the tall stools I drag around! And the idea of ‘catching a dream’ – just love that! Thanks for stopping by!
Great idea. I was thinking of doing this but wasn’t sure what to put in it. Thanks for the help! 🙂
Glad to be of help Cheryl!
Dear Tara,this came in my mail just as I am packing for a trip overseas; The ‘portable studio ‘ kit is a great suggestion; AND I still have time to run out to pick up some oil pastels to round out my kit for my room inNY. I have also put a small sketchpad, pen and three colored pencils in a manila envelope for the long flight. (three because those are all that are left after a whirlwind visit from grandkids),
Thanks for great ideas, inspiration and impetus toward a goal.
Wonderful! So happy to hear it helped you organise your art supplies for your trip Marcella.
As i live alone after my husband passed away I use part of my bedroom as an art corner. I have one of those TV tables to work on and a tea trolly beside it with equipment on. Im in aflat but its easy to close the bedroom door and not have to pack things away. Thankyou for inspiring ideas.Tara.
Sounds like a great set up Patricia! Tea trolleys are much better served as art supply storage, I think. 😉 Thank you for stopping by!
What exactly is a wash bag? I’m thinking it must be a British expression as I’m not familiar with it in Canada. Love all the ideas for the kits. I have lots of materials in plastic bins available for my grandchildren at the cottage. They love that.
Hi Dianne – it’s a little {or large!} zip up bag, often water resistant/waterproof, that you use to carry your toiletries when you travel. I’m intrigued to know what you’d call it in Canada!
Im not in Canada (US), but my parents always called it a Dittybag – all one word. Or maybe that was just the Texan name for it! I still call it that and I have no idea what other people call it, except that now I know it can be called a wash bag!
I love the idea of a wash bag for a few art things, to make it portable, and now I just want to call it a wash bag all the time! ????
That’s funny 🙂 – I’ve heard it called a dopp bag too.
A toilet bag. (NZ)
Tara, I have just found your site and I love your sweet encouragement & great ideas! Just wanted to pass on my new favorite art supply…check out the gelli plate. You can YouTube videos or peruse artwork by Birgit Koopsen…she does great journal pages and multi-media pieces…enjoy!????
You’re welcome Jennifer! I’ve heard lots of good things about the gelli plate – haven’t actually tried it yet though!
Hi. I have been “arting” for many years, but lately I’ve been off my game and the article and the posts have gotten some inspiration going in me. I like the “diddybag” idea very much, and as soon as I can find one that is the right size, I think I will have my own “traveling art kit.” 🙂
Yay! So glad to hear you took something helpful from it Theresa.
I’ve been so afraid of aqua oil painting that’s what I use. Many friends
are so good but me no. 4 years of trying! What’s wrong? I feel my brain does not function right. Color mixing is very hard for me. Never know what color to use. I have to say been lazy at practicing. Don’t know why since I love Art specially paintings. I never find the time even I do have it. Tara help me push myself in doing more. I have so many brushes, paints (aqua Oil) & never know which brush for what. Give me an Idea of the brushes I need to paint with oil the only difference is that I can clean with water & mix with water. But need to know what size and kind brushes I need the most. Thanks Tara for all the help you give us all.
It sounds like you’re being quite hard on yourself if I may say so Yolande! You might find that taking a more experimental, ‘let’s see what happens if I try this’ approach makes things easier. I’ve never been a fan of colour theory, and tend to do it mostly by instinct and trial and error. 🙂 When it comes to brushes, I really think the best way is to discover which ones you like to use most. There’s no ‘should’ here. I discovered that I prefer synthetic bristles because they leave less obvious brush marks and feel better to use, and beyond that I just try to have a range of very small {for details} right up to house painting brushes for broad strokes and greater coverage. I don’t pay much attention to what you ‘should’ use with what. If it feels good and does what you want, it’s right for you!
I’ve learned new words, love the trolley idea, and now have a good excuse to buy another cute “washbag”! – mostly I just love the sweet art talk between you all- Thank you Tara! I’m inspired!
Haha, love it! Glad you found something useful here Allison.
In Canada we call it a Toiletries bag or makeup bag.
I like to travel with a children’s toy tin case, it fits well into a backpack or tote. I cut down paper to fit and am able to fit in brushes pen,small wipes, small screw top ex-face scrub jar(for water) mini sprayer, sponge, pencils and tape. I either take water soluble pencils or water colours. A hard piece of card(to tape paper to). I can then add these to my diary or frame as a small work. I have been known to paint during long haul flights or just an overnight visit.
Nice blog! I’m lucky enough to have a spare room, but I still have a sort of coffee table kit, in a Ikea Raskog trolley. You’ve inspired me to go through my stuff tomorrow and rearrange my artsupplies!
That Raskog trolley is very popular! Happy arranging. 🙂